Jaina ran through endless red-lit corridors, despair flashing through the force. She could feel the pain of hundreds of
life forms being murdered and her heart ached because she knew she would never make it in time.

Finally, she rounded the last corner and entered the corridor that would lead her straight to the bridge.

In front of her, five Yuuzhan Vong warriors blocked her way. They moved with the precision of veterans, each taking position
where they wouldn’t constrain each other.

That was the moment when Jaina realized that she wouldn’t survive it.
She wouldn’t fail on the bridge; she wouldn’t even get so far. She would fail here and now.

She raised her violet blade and prepared for death.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jaina woke up, cold sweat running down her body. She tried using a Jedi-Breathing technique, but she couldn’t concentrate
on it.

Why has it changed?

In that moment, Jacen burst in, still in his pajama.

“Are you okay?” He asked, looked worried.

Some of the old Jaina came back to life and she replied defiant:
“I don’t need your help. I can take care of myself.
Believe me, I’m fine.”

“If you need anything, just tell me.” Jacen told her, but preferred to leave before his sister could get really
mad at him.

Immediately after he’d left, Jaina began to cry and crawled deep under her blanket.I wish I hadn’t sent him away. Why am I so damn stubborn?
I wish someone would hold me now. I feel so alone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunshine warmed their bodies under the robes and glittered on the silver hilts of their lightsabers.

It was a rare sight; Luke Skywalker and Kyp Durron together. Both Jedi Masters seemed to be finally in complete agreement.

Luke smirked.
“What has changed your opinion?”
“What do you mean?” Kyp questioned confused.
“Only half a year ago, you would have never even considered coming, only to annoy me.”

Half a year ago, Kyp would have been very angry hearing something like this, but now he only laughed.

“I have changed.” He said.
“I know.” Was the other masters only reply.

After a long silence, Kyp spoke again.

”I’ll take my X-Wing and join with the Ralroost and then lead them to Ithor.”
“Good. We’ll need as much firepower as we can get.” Luke hugged Kyp and the dismissed him.
“May the force be with you, Kyp.”
”And with you, Master Skywalker.” Kyp returned.

Before he left, Luke called after him:
“Half a year ago, I wouldn’t have considered you one of my best friends.”

Kyp smiled at this, but left before his master could see him blushing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jaina was happy when she’d finally escaped her family and could return to “business”. She warmed the systems
of her X-Wing up and double-checked her ship.

Around her at the platform, other X-Wings were already lifting up, carrying their pilots higher and higher up into the clouds
and beyond them.

Her brothers were among them and probably also Kyp.

If he isn’t already gone. Jaina thought sadly.

She shook her head and forced herself to concentrate on the task at hand.

It’s war. We don’t have time to dream now.

When all systems were green, she also lifted up, joining the other Jedi.
All too soon, she had to leave them at the edge of the Coruscant system, programming her nav computer for the jump to Bilbringi,
where the Ralroost was waiting for her.

Goodbye, Kyp.

A single tear rolled down her cheek as she pushed the lever forwards and her ship made the jump to hyperspace.